Objectives: This research was planned to investigate the most suitable recovery method that can be applied in the elimination of blood lactate, which is accumulated in the blood of football players after training or competition, and it was planned to determine whether the soccer player's role is in the effectiveness of these recovery methods.

Methods: 36 professional or professional candidate football players including 12 defenses, 12 midfielders and 12 attack were included in the study. Athletes were warmed up before the field workout start and then subjected to a maximal field test on an 800-meter course. The blood sample taken from the athletes after the field test was evaluated for blood lactat. Then, each athlete was rested with either the active recovery or passive recovery or massage recovery methods and the blood analyzes were repeated and recorded. Each athlete was evaluated and recorded 48 hours after the same field test by the other recovery method.

Results: According to the obtained statistics, it was found that the most appropriate method for lactate recovery after maximal exercise was active recovery (p˂0,05). Massage recovery was found to be more effective than passive recovery but significantly less effective than active recovery (p<0.05). It has been determined that there is not a relation of the football player positions in the effectiveness of the recovery methods applied (p>0,05).

Conclusion: The most effective recovery methods was determined as active recovery and the effect was proven even in a 15 minute application.